Clinton urges new sanctions on Iran over missile tests

TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF, AFP AND AP

Democratic presidential candidate calls Tehran’s anti-Israel rhetoric ‘repulsive’; White House says more launches likely in offing

A long-range Qadr ballistic missile is launched in the Alborz mountain range in northern Iran on March 9, 2016. (AFP / TASNIM NEWS / Mahmood Hosseini)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said she was “deeply concerned” by Iran’s long-range ballistic missile tests and called for fresh sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Iran fired two long-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday, one of which was stamped with threats in Hebrew and Persian to annihilate Israel, as it continued military tests in defiance of US sanctions and fresh warnings from Washington.

“I am deeply concerned by reports that Iran has tested multiple missiles, which it claimed were stamped with words declaring that ‘Israel should be wiped from the pages of history,’” Clinton said.

She described the missile launches as “a blatant violation of Iran’s UN Security obligations,” and said it “must have consequences.”

“Iran should face sanctions for these activities, and the international community must demonstrate that Iran’s threats toward Israel will not be tolerated,” she added.

Clinton also slammed the “repulsive” rhetoric against Israel.

Iran state TV trumpeted Wednesday’s test as officials boasted that it demonstrated the country’s might against longtime nemesis Israel, with at least one missile emblazoned with the words “Israel must be wiped off the face of the Earth,” according to the Fars news agency.

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